Thoughts from the interface of science, religion, law and culture

After spending several years touring the country as a stand up comedian, Ed Brayton tired of explaining his jokes to small groups of dazed illiterates and turned to writing as the most common outlet for the voices in his head. He has appeared on the Rachel Maddow Show and the Thom Hartmann Show, and is almost certain that he is the only person ever to make fun of Chuck Norris on C-SPAN.

EVENTS

Boykin: Dearborn Just Like Beirut and Damascus

Unhinged crazy person and former Gen. Jerry Boykin says that Dearborn, Michigan, which has the largest Arab (not necessarily Muslim) population outside the Middle East, is ruled by Sharia law and indistinguishable from Beirut or Damascus (as though those two cities were the same, for crying out loud).

We used to go there to get really good sausages and bread in the days that there were many Polish and German folks. We’ve got Italians and Irish too. Some of those people are still there. It is good. Now we have added benefits of people from all over the place. Get used to them being smart, having good educations, and being our elected officials, doctors, and scientists. They are over-represented at our best universities.
Viva la difference.
Wake up and smell the schwarma you dolt.

Actually, the residents of Damascus aren’t very brown, in fact, they’re as light complected as folks from Europe.

Same with the Lebanese for the most part. Calling either the Syrians or Lebanese “Arabs” is a gross oversimplification, although one that’s become standard. Their Arab identity is cultural, not ethnic. Although most of them probably have some Arabian DNA in them, they’re probably more closely related to Greeks and Italians than to pure Arabs.

As of 2010 the population of Dearborn was 98,153. The racial and ethnic composition was 86.7% Non-Hispanic whites (including Arabs), 4.0% black or African-American, 0.2% Native American, 1.7% Asian, 0.2% Non-Hispanics of some other race, 4.0% reporting two or more races and 3.4% Hispanic or Latino.[12]

41.7% were of Arab ancestry (categorized as “White” in Census collection data).[13]

According to wikipedia, Dearborn is 41% Arab. Of them, the most numerous group is Lebanese Maronite xians, a branch of the RCC.

I suppose General Boykin is unable to fact check on the internet. How did this guy ever make that rank anyway?